World Reviewer rating

Milos

This is where she came from. The beautiful, but armless, statue of Aphrodite called the Venus de Milo now housed in the Louvre and admired by many. It was this island's location, between Crete and mainland Greece, and its mineral wealth in obsidian, from its volcanic origin, that made Milos so important in the early years of civilisation here. There isn't a fishing village around where obsidian from Milos hasn't been found, which could explain the rich art and archaeological finds discovered here, including an impressive Minoan palace with some famous wall paintings – you may have heard of the flying fish?

The island looks rocky too, with oranges, olives, juniper and cypress plants sprouting from between the rocks and the whitewashed towns and around the natural harbour made from the lip of the volcano. There are seven towns on the island, and a string of lovely, clear water beaches and multicoloured cliffs.